Troubleshooting Paint Defects
In the painting process, there are many issues that can arise causing surface defects in the final finish. Hopefully this blog will help you identify the problem, understand what caused the problem, and will give you the next step to repair the defect or prevent it in the future.
Defect: | Description: | Cause: | Remedy or Prevention: |
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Staining or discoloring that appears through the final finish. |
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The surface of the finish displays small bubbles, bumps, or pimples that may be either isolated or in groups. |
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Visible marks showing after the final paint work has been completed, specifically around the featheredge on body filler or primer edge. |
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Visible sanding marks after the paint work has fully cured that was not visible during the repair process or immediately following the repair. |
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Raising, cracking, or swelling of the paint film. (Lacquer Paint over Enamel Paint will cause this. Enamel can be applied over lacquer but not the other way around.) |
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Tech Tip: Quite often you can apply 2-3 coats of a water-based primer and this will prevent the solvent from penetrating into the unstable finish underneath. |
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Color distortion resulting from an uneven distribution of metallic, mica, or special effect pigment. |
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Tech Tip: Choose one temperature slower than what you think you need and allow more flash time between coats. |
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Paint or Clear-coat with an uneven texture that resembles the skin of an orange. |
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Tech Tip: Choose one temperature slower than what you think you need and allow more flash time between coats. |
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A dulling of the gloss as the film dries or ages. |
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Tech Tip: Dieback can often be sanded and buffed out using progressively finer grits then compound and polish. If this does not work |
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Crater like depressions on the surface of the paint or clear-coat. |
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Tech Tip: The coating will have to be sanded until the fisheyes are gone, then follow step 1 above before more color or clear-coat can be applied. |
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Small bubble like surface defects that under magnification protrude out. |
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Tech Tip: Use one temp slower hardener / reducer than you think you might need, and allow longer flash time between coats. |
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The downward flow of primer, paint, or clear-coat. |
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Tech Tip: Depending on the severity runs and sags can often be removed by sanding off in progressively finer grits then compound and polish to a full shine. |
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The clear-coat has eroded from the base-coat color and may or may not be flaking off the surface and will have a milky white appearance. |
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